We planted three Mexican Butterfly Weed plants in the backyard and babied and watered them through the hot dry summer. This week we saw our first Monarch butterfly visit. I hope we have more stop by on their journey south to Mexico this fall and again in the spring when they head north.
Photo by Husband
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THE COASTAL CRONE 
Cheers to the success and the chance to be part of their remarkable journey.
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Thanks! It was not the best time to plant but we really wanted to have some. We had some several years ago but for some reason we replaced them with something else. We have hummingbirds passing on their way south too.
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Your husband took a great photo
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Thanks! He is the photographer in the family!
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☀️📸
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In the past week, I’ve started seeing Monarchs at work. They often scoot across Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. I’m not sure if they’re on the same flight path as yours. I know they’re sometimes seen in large groups in Chambers County, and down in Palacios. Good for you, for providing a little ‘road food’!
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It is good to see them anywhere. We usually just see a few passing through but hope these plants encourage them. I have never seen them in large groups in Texas. One fall when I was in Mexico I saw them thick way out from towns. Really beautiful. I hope they like our road food.
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Beautiful photo!
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Thanks. Husband thought it could have been better, but they don’t exactly pose for him. I thought it was great.
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What a great shot, Jo. Good for you on giving the butterflies some rest. Have a great weekend
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Yes, he was lucky to catch it – almost as difficult as the hummers. We try to do what we can and keep a birdbath for the birds and squirrels that visit. After some of the heavy rain we had a Blue Land Crab visit. By the way, I am having some trouble liking and commenting again. Hit and miss with no rhyme or reason. TGIF to you, John.
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Hit the word “change” after the comment field and then hit the WP logo. That should help. So write your comment then hit change and then the logo. The comment should go.
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How wonderful! I love monarch butterflies but I’ve only seen the rare one in our garden. Lots of cabbage butterflies though. I recall going to the Pacific Grove in California when they were migrating south. There were thousands upon thousands. Such a sight. Every one is a feast for the eyes.
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How wonderful to see thousands of them! I saw them everywhere one fall in Mexico out from all the towns. We are grateful for the few that drift through our yard.
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Butterfly camouflage!
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Yes, they do rather blend in, especially with wings closed. Thanks for the visit!
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Fantastic, I hope you get many more.
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We do too! Thanks for your visit – you are always welcome!
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Jo Nell, you truly have started a butterfly garden – one exclusively for the endangered Monarch butterfly. I have never seen a Monarch here in British Columbia, but I live in hope. We planted half the garden with wild flowers that attracted butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. The garden was literally a beehive of activity and has given us great delight. But no Monarchs. The Mexican butterfly weed does not flourish this far North and that is their only source of food ( love those caterpillars) . Happy gardening dear friend. XXX Virginia
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Yes, it is a start. We don’t have the best soil and have to contend with heat and droughts. But we do what we can where we are. The caterpillars are beautiful too. Your gardening results are inspiring when write and share photos of them.
Recently we have had rain and the temps are cooling down some, low 90s and high 80s – fall for us – so I am encouraged. Take care and happy fall!
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Well, it is a small start. Husband has an idea for a larger space with a raised bed for wildflowers maybe for next year. Your posts about your garden and photos are always inspiring, Virginia! You do your part for butterflies, bees and hummers! I look forward to see what you have for the fall. Hugs!
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If you plant them, they will come!
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Yes! We had some milkweed before but got rid of them when they weren’t doing well for some reason. Hoping for some good excitement in your life soon!
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Lovely! Thank you for helping them along on their journey!
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We try to do what we can – wish we could do more!
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Hello. Monarch butterflies are an endangered species, though possibly the situation will improve. Here’s info:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/migratory-monarch-butterfly-now-classified-as-endangered
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Thanks for the link – I will check it out! I had read somewhere too that perhaps they were doing a little better. Let us hope so!
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Great link – thank you! Beautiful photos! Nice to know Mexico, Canada and the US can work together.
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Oh how cool! And especially now that the Monarch butterfly is endangered. Great picture, too 🙂
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Yes, it is sad to think they might disappear. Thanks for stopping by to check out milkweed!
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Bravo on your success, Jo Nell! I planted some milkweed in my front garden, but they didn’t grow. Then the next year, I added a layer of soil to my old garden in the spring and the milkweed started growing. They are only a few plants. Maybe not enough to attract Monarchs to lay eggs, but I feel like I’m trying to help them, anyway.
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And bravo for your efforts and for the milkweeds coming back. They are very hardy and will come back after the caterpillars strip them of leaves. We only have three so it doesn’t take much to attract them when they are hungry or want to lay eggs. Yes, we do what we can to help. And you do so much to help the environment and educate. Have a good weekend!
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How lucky you are to see real monarch butterflies! (I used to think any butterfly with orange wings was a monarch.) That was worth babying those plants through the summer….
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Yes, it was worth it and there have been more Monarch visitors, one at a time usually. It is sometimes hard to tell which is a Monarch as there are a couple so similar. The Monarchs will have three dots and you have to look close. Thanks for your visit!
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Wonderful photo Jo Helping all creatures great and small by what we plant in our gardens.
I’m sure these plants will help these beautiful butterflies upon their journeys. 🙏🦋🙏
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Wow! I hope you get a lot more of those beauties.
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We have! One or two at a time have stopped by. Thanks for your visit!
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Considering that monarch populations have declined, every monarch-friendly plant and each opportunity demonstrate how easy it is to do our part are important! I read and reviewed a book called Bicycling with Butterflies. The author undertook to follow their migration route from Mexico north and back again, educating people in planned programs and on the road. Thank you for doing your part!
Thank you, as well, for liking my post.
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Yes, we do what we can. Since i posted this we had new milkweed plants come up behind these from seeds from the original three. So far they are about 2-4 inches tall. So excited to find them! We may have a butterfly garden after all. Thanks for mentioning the book – may have to check it out. And thanks for the visit and comments.
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We planted the same plant for the Monarchs, several years ago. Although we see a few every summer, the clouds of migrating Monarchs have not returned. We live on a migratory path, and it used to be a sight to behold twice a year. Now, nothing. Breaks my heart.
Thank you for planting the Monarch’s weed!
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I only saw clouds of them in Mexico once years ago and wonder if that has changed too. We have only seen a few more but have attracted other butterflies so I guess we are helping them too. Thanks for your visit! Glad you have some of these milkweeds too.
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It’s such a small thing to help our pollinators survive. If they don’t, we don’t!
Take care!
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How lovely, Jo! You’re helping the ecosystem ~ and the beauty of the butterflies is exquisite 🙂
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How encouraging to see Monarchs! Beautifully captured!
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It’s exciting and rewarding when our efforts bear fruit. I learned from two books (of course, I learned about it from books!) about the concerns facing monarchs because of sufficient milkweed. Development, indiscriminate mowing, and ignorance all play a role.
In February, 2021, I posted a review of Bicycling with Butterflies, a real eye-opener. If you have a chance to check out my post, I’m sure you’ll be uplifted.
Thank you for once again liking my posts.
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